Another fantastic Wassail and our largest audience to date. Tickets sold out in early January and we were very lucky once again with the weather. 

This year we introduced the Local Vocals- a local choir group that welcomed people as they arrived. We, again, saw the wonderful Hobo's Morris team with their excellent band joining them. They were followed by Purbeck Mummers who led with their traditional mumming play and then led the procession to the orchard. This year they were rather swift off the mark and made good time. 

The crowd gathered in the orchard with flaming torches held high and the Mother (the lead Mummer) led the blessing ceremony along with Kate (the Queen of the orchard) and Joe (the King of the orchard). The blessing is brought to a close with Joe firing a shotgun into the sky which is rather dramatic and the crowd loudly warding off the evil spirits with whoops and calls. 

We finished the evening with Phil King, a local musician, who rallied the crowd in the sheep shed and many were dancing on the straw with mulled cider in hand. 

A wonderful evening, not to be missed!